Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Clam worms (Alitta Succinea) are a species of marine annelid, also known as sandworms. Clam worms can be found in the Northwest Atlantic region, the Gulf of Maine and South Africa. A clam worm can grow up to 6 inches in length, but usually they are a bit smaller. An interesting feature of the clam worm is the fact that they have four eyes.

Photo: Hans Hillewaert (Belgian North Sea)

The clam worm is a freeswimming polychaete that scavenges on the bottom of shallow marine waters feeding on other worms and algae. The clam worm itself is a food source for crustaceans and bottom-feeder fish.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Mold is a fungus that grows in the form of multi-cellular filaments called hyphae. The best way to examine mold under a microscope is to grow your own in a controlled environment. Soft bread without preservatives in it is perfect for this experiment. Leave the bread in a warm area, such as on the counter for a day, then place it in a ziplock bag with a small amount of water. Place the bread in a sunny area.

Once your bread is sufficiently moldy, wear a pair of gloves and put either a drop of water or a drop of Methylene blue (a staining agent) on a depression slide. Using a toothpick or a disposable knife, scrape some mold off the bread and place a small amount on the droplet of water. Cover it with a cover slip.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Hydra is a genus of small, simple fresh-water animals, typically found in fresh-water ponds, lakes and streams in moderate and tropical regions. Hydra are usually a few millimeters long and are best seen under a biological microscope.

Hydra captured at 100x magnification.

Each tentacle of a hydra is layered with highly specialized stinging cells called cnidocytes. The Cnidocytes contain specialized structures called nematocysts that, when contacted with prey, can fire neurotoxins paralyzing the prey.

Hydra tentacles captured at 100x under the microscope.

Hydra do not have a recognizable brain or muscles. The nervous system of Hydra is a nerve net.

Hydra tentacles captured at 400x magnification under the microscope.

Hydra extend their body to maximum length when feeding and slowly extend their tentacles. Upon contact with prey, the nematocysts on the tentacle fire into the prey while the tentacles coil around the prey.

Hydra tentacles connected to body of hydra, 400x under the microscope.